A query on clutch travel

[edgiee]

Hi, I'm new to the 911 world (just over 3 weeks) and am loving the car (C2) []. However, there is something that I'm considering asking the OPC about but was hoping for some input from the forum: what is norrmal for the clutch pedal travel.? I seem to have to depress the pedal all the way to the floor to start the car, and gear shifts can be clunky unless I do the same when driving. This makes gear changes a little slow. Maybe I'm just getting used to the car, but I'd appreciate any feedback before I ask the OPC. Thanks in advance.

 

[snarf]

The handbook states that:

Clutch Pedal​

The clutch pedal must be depressed fully​

before the starter will engage.

and

To avoid damage to the clutch and transmission:​

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Always depress the clutch pedal fully when changing gears.​

 

[edgiee]

OK Alan. Thanks for that. So 'fully' means 'right down to the floor' and not 'until the clutch engages'. That's fine. I'll just have to adjust the seat/steering wheel position. Thanks again.

 

[tscaptain]

My former C2S was the same, Keith. Certainly fully depressed to start. I think I used to get away with less than full travel on quick changes with perfect timing - yeah right, in my dreams then![] Give it few more weeks, maybe, to see what it's like when you know the car better?

 

[tscaptain]

Just read second post, Keith. I think you should have the seat position so that you can get full depression of the pedal and still have a small bend at the knee, i.e not completely straight leg at full travel?

 

[Rodney Naghar]

Your seat position should be based around the distance of your hands to the steering wheel, not the clutch. Ideally when seated and your arms are at full stretch your wrists should be level with the top of the steering wheel rim. This is so that when turning the wheel for a bend, your opposite shoulder isn't forced away from the seat bolsters, giving you less lateral support.

 

[snarf]

Again reference the handbook (having a pdf version can make for anorak like behaviour):

Seat Adjustment​

Warning!​

The seat may move unexpectedly if you​

attempt to adjust while driving. This could​

cause sudden loss of control or personal injury.​

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Do not adjust seats while the vehicle is in motion.​

The backrest locks must be engaged at all​

times while the vehicle is in motion.​

Safety belts only offer protection when the​

backrest is upright and the belts are properly​

positioned on the body.​

Improperly positioned safety belts or safety​

belts worn by passengers in an excessively​

reclined position can cause serious personal​

injury in an accident.​

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Do not operate the car with the driver or​

passenger backrests excessively reclined​

(see "Seat position").​

In the cabriolet, the windstop may be​

damaged during seat adjustment and when​

folding back the front-seat backrest.​

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Adjust seat so that the seat backrest does not​

touch the windstop.​

Seat position​

An ergonomically correct sitting position is​

important for safe and fatigue-free driving.​

We recommend the following procedure for adjusting​

the driver's seat to suit individual​

requirements:​

1. Vehicles with manual transmission:​

Adjust the seat until, with the clutch pedal fully​

depressed, your leg remains at a slight angle.​

Vehicles with Tiptronic S:​

Adjust the seat until, with your left foot on the​

footrest, your left leg remains at a slight angle.​

2. Rest your outstretched arm on the steering​

wheel.​

Set the backrest angle and the steering-wheel​

position so that your wrist rests on the outer​

rim of the steering wheel. At the same time,​

the shoulders must still be in noticeable​

contact with the backrest.​

3. Adjust the seat height to give yourself enough​

headroom and a good overview of the vehicle.​

4. Electrically adjustable seat:​

Adjust the seat angle until your thighs rest​

lightly on the seat cushion.​

Manually adjustable​

comfort seat/sports seat​

A Seat height​

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Use lever A in a pumping movement:​

Upwards "" seat moves upwards​

Downwards "" seat moves downwards​

B Fore and aft​

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Raise locking lever B.​

Move seat to desired position and release​

lever.​

Ensure that the seat engages correctly.​

C Backrest angle​

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Operate switch C until the desired backrest​

angle is reached.

 

[tscaptain]

Totally agree, Rodney, but if the steering wheel fore and aft position is not adjusted correctly either you may not be able to get full clutch travel. Long arms/short legs etc. It certainly took me a little while to get everything positioned just so. For me the way to do it was to adjust seat to get clutch travel correct and then adjust steering wheel position fore/aft/up/down to get wrists on top of wheel etc. But I'm sure there are other methods........[]
PS Edit I was typing this while Allan posted the handbook excerpt - honest[]

 

[Rodney Naghar]

ORIGINAL: tscaptain

Totally agree, Rodney, but if the steering wheel fore and aft position is not adjusted correctly either you may not be able to get full clutch travel. Long arms/short legs etc. It certainly took me a little while to get everything positioned just so. For me the way to do it was to adjust seat to get clutch travel correct and then adjust steering wheel position fore/aft/up/down to get wrists on top of wheel etc. But I'm sure there are other methods........[]
PS Edit I was typing this while Allan posted the handbook excerpt - honest[]

Absolutely.

 

[edgiee]

Thanks for all the posts. Really appreciated. Regards seat position, I'm 29" inside leg and longish arms (I tell my wife - if I was 32" inside leg I'd be 5' 11" [8D] and she says if my arms were shorter I'd be 5'5" []), so it probably needs more work to find the ideal seat/steering wheel position.